Anna Westley | Childbirth Educator & Doula

Congratulations on your pregnancy and upcoming birth! I am so glad you are considering doula care. I would love to connect with you and learn how I can best support you.

I have been a doula since 2005 and have supported over 100 families! I have seen again and again that thriving families have abundant support. It is an honor to provide that support during pregnancy, birth and the early days with your new baby.

My intention as a doula is to cultivate physical and emotional wellbeing for families during times of transition. I serve my clients with respect, compassion and non-judgment. I trust that you have the wisdom to navigate this time in your life in your own way. I follow your lead in all things and provide information and support along the way.

I have birth doula experience with hospital and home births, inductions, waterbirths, surrogacy, high risk pregnancies, birthing after loss, surgical births and VBAC. I am at ease with all kinds of pain management strategies: unmedicated, hypnosis, epidurals, nitrous oxide - whatever works for you.

I have postpartum doula experience with twins, overnights, loss, emotional complications, feeding challenges, in-hospital support, the NICU and more.

I enjoy working with all kinds of families and parenting styles. In particular, I aim to provide safe and affirming care to LGBTQ+ and polyamorous families.

As a certified doula I consistently pursue continuing education that enriches and deepens the care I offer families.

If you have any questions, please be in touch!

Certifications

Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, DONA International
Hypnobabies® Childbirth Hypnosis Doula, Hypnobabies®
MotherWoman Facilitator

Experience

2005-2019 Provided doula care to 100+ families

2012- 2018 Facilitated MotherWoman support groups
2017 Facilitated monthly Fertile Ground Pregnancy Circles
2017-2019 Provided peer support to families experiencing infertility through Empty Arms Bereavement Support
2016-2017 Treasurer of the Board for the Green River Doula Network
2011-2014 Family Coordinator for It Takes a Village

Trainings & Workshops

Epigenetics and the Microbiome: The Latest Buzzwords in Maternity with Penny Simkin

The Best Start: Strategies to Reduce Early Feeding Problems with Nancy Morhbacher
Exploring the self: a doula's guide to discussing race, gender and privilege in birth and postpartum work with Morgane Veronique Richardson and Aimee Brill
Creative Movement for Birth with Michelle L'Esperance
Making Your Birthwork Trans Inclusive with Ray Rachlin

Spinning Babies Training with Lorenza Holt
Babymoon and Beyond presented by Nancy Madru
Pioneer Women's Health's Pregnancy Plan for women with substance exposure presented by Linda Jablonski
"Conversations about Care: Crafting more accepting and affirming health care experiences for the LGBTQ community" hosted by Valley Medical Group in partnership with Health New England
From Trauma to Triumph: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Trauma on Childbearing Women with Penny Simkin
Shaping the Journey of Bereaved Families in the Birthplace with Carol McMurrich of Empty Arms Bereavement Support
Center for Babywearing Studies three day babywearing consultant training
Sleep Consultancy presentation by Beth Grams Haxby
Developmental Movement Mat Chat with Lenore Grubinger of Amajoy
Birth Doula Refresher Workshop with Michelle L'Esperance
BACE-NMC Breastfeeding Conference
The Work for Birth Professionals with Terri Nash
Speedy Birth for Doulas with Michelle L'Esperance
MotherWoman Facilitator Refresher with Liz Friedman and Annette Cycon
Childbirth Education Essentials with Vikki Elson
Skin-to-skin in the First Hour After Birth with Nurture the Mother Birth Services
Listening to Newborns: What Babies have to Say about Transitions to Life with Linda Jablonski
Ayurvedic Perspectives on the Postpartum Period with Christine Devlin Eck
Compassionate Caregiving When a Baby Dies with Catherine Lammert of Share
the MotherWoman Facilitator Training
a talk by Amy Romano co-author of Optimal Care in Childbirth: The Case for a Physiologic Approach
Partners in Perinatal Health Conference
Postpartum Emotional Complications Workshop with MotherWoman
Better Cesarean Birth - VBAC with Michelle L'Esperance
Weekend intensive with Ina May Gaskin